Winter Owl

I just finished this little painting last night... Jan 1/11. A perfect way to start the New Year!

It's a little screech owl, resting on a dead branch, under snow covered branches, that I started a week ago. (You can buy a button if you like.)

Using a limited pallet, and a painting by my favourite artist- Robert Bateman, as my inspiration and source, it was nice to have a tangible resource, for a change.

(Most of my paintings are landscapes and abstracts, just letting the painting evolve as I go. To work from a picture takes more discipline, deliberation and is more challenging.)

I have no idea how long it took to make this painting, though, since time just evaporates in my studio.

There are times when the painting has to dry, before I can move onto the next step, and I find other things to work on- refurbishing an old travel case is my other project right now.

Below is an unfinished photo of my painting and a little art card.

I've blocked and defined the spaces, and worked out the owl.

(I'm making the little art card (ACEO), to test my colours

and brush strokes, as I work on the larger painting).

Painting in-progress (with unfinished ACEO on the side).

Today, I'll put a clear protective coating on my finished painting. I like to use a shiny, gloss finish, (but it's hard to get good photos afterwards), then I can truly call him complete.

I've enjoyed making this painting. During the busy holidays, I've created this safe, peaceful shelter, for a little owl... and for me.

Finished "Winter Owl" painting (9" x 12")

Finished ACEO (Art trading card.)

ACEO's

Art Cards, Editions and Originals (ACEO) dimensions- 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches

I know they've been around for quite a while, but they're fairly new to me.

With my love of miniatures, and little things, I'm surprised I hadn't heard of them sooner.

I've been making original little/mini paintings, but not to the specific measurements of these art trading cards... until now. I just bought these chipboard cards from krazykatedesigns and was excited to paint them!

Affordable little works of art. How fun is that?

Here's a photo of my 1st group of ACEOs (9), in progress...

So far, I've finished 4 of them- they are initialled on the front, signed & dated on the back, and a clear protective gloss protects the painting.

I used a base coat of gesso to create different textures. It took a long time to dry, before I could actually paint on them.

Here's a photo of the four I've completed.

This mountain scene set of 3 is already sold, but I'm going to list the green mountain scene in my Etsy shop.

I'm looking forward to finishing the other 5, the texture of them reminds me of batik! They'll be completely different from this 1st group. It's going to be fun.

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BTW, I love doing custom orders.

I enjoy the challenge of creating a piece- based on someone else's description, and making it work.

This week I had the opportunity to make a custom pair of turquoise earrings... with lime-green, jade beads. It meant a visit to Abacus Beads, (our local bead shop), on my lunch break, looking for lime green beads.

Among my little treasures, I found these amazing swirl lampwork beads, and couldn't wait to finish work so I could go home and make some earrings. Here they are:

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